One of the greatest gifts I have received is getting to know holy married couples. I think of Rabbi Israel, my fellow chaplain at the hospital at holiday time (Hanukkah) he wouldn’t fret about shopping for gifts for his children. He would tell the rest of the chaplains, “The best gift you can give to your children, is not material gifts nor even money. The best gift is to let them see your love for your wife!” Isn’t it true. When we witness true, committed love in a couple, it stays indelibly imprinted on our minds and souls. I also remember another couple, Jill and Doug. They were Christians and believed that forgiveness is what cemented a marriage together. In fact, they would begin the day by having morning prayer together when they arose from sleep. Then before retiring at night, they would go over the day and ask for forgiveness of each other before God. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t include my dear parents. It was not unusual to walk into their living room and experience them saying the rosary together. Yes, some of the holiest people I have met in my life are married people who are truly committed to make God a major part of their relationship. On the other hand, I have witnessed many married people going to church alone because their spouse is not a believer. That’s a hard spot to be in. It can cause great “religious loneliness”. Religious loneliness happens when one person in the marriage practices their faith and the other doesn’t. Many times, married people give great honor to clergy and religious, believing them to be way holier than married people. I always say to them: “I’m planning to hold onto your coat tails when you go to heaven. That way, I can be sure I will get in.” Pope Francis recently wrote some works about how special the marriage vocation is in the family. It’s no accident that Jesus was born into the family which had very holy parents: Mary and Joseph. Let’s always give honor to married people as God’s special envoys to all of us who strive to learn sacrificial love from them.                                                                               ~ Fr. John